At a time when travellers are seeking connection over consumption, a new wave of travel curation is emerging: one that reflects a broader shift in luxury itself, away from display and towards meaning. Travelnam, founded by Nong Skett, sits at the forefront of this evolution, prioritising emotional depth, cultural immersion and a sense of transformation over traditional expectations.
Nong describes this approach as ‘luxury casual’ or ‘luxury that flows’, a more relaxed, intuitive form of high-end travel that feels effortless rather than performative and allows space for reflection and discovery. In doing so, the business aligns with a growing movement of boutique travel curators reshaping the sector with greater emphasis on authenticity.
Established in 2022 and based in the Cotswolds, Travelnam is a high-end, personalised travel consultancy built from the ground up with a clear ambition to redefine how people experience the world. Backed by Not Just Travel and shaped by Nong’s background in corporate travel, the business combines global access with a distinctly personal, boutique approach.
Each journey is designed both around where a client wants to go and around how they want to feel when they return. “For me, travel has never been about ticking destinations off a list,” says Nong. “It’s about those moments when something shifts, when you feel present, connected, and changed in a way that stays with you. That’s the kind of experience I wanted to build a business around, where the focus is on uncovering the hidden layer of a place, the part most travellers never see.”
The concept is subtly rooted in Nong’s own self-made journey: Nam, part of her Thai name, Nongnam, means water, symbolising movement, intuition and transformation. “I was born during Roy Krathong, Thailand’s Festival of Lights, a celebration centred on release and renewal. Water has always symbolised journeys to me. It shapes landscapes, connects distant shores, and reflects both the sunlight and the stars. It reminds me that like those illuminated waters during Roy Krathong, the best travel moments combine beauty with meaning. They stand out in our memories like lanterns against the night sky,” she explains.
Working with all clients who value the human touch and personal service, including senior executives and individuals who value discretion and privacy, Travelnam offers access to experiences that go far beyond what traditional booking platforms can provide, from private cultural encounters to lesser-known destinations.
Crucially, the business is not positioned around price, but value. The travel consultancy’s approach is to deliver the best possible experience for a client’s budget; not the lowest cost, but the most considered, seamless and meaningful. Nong says, “For us, luxury is a feeling not a price tag.”
Looking ahead, Travelnam is entering a new phase of growth, with plans to expand its team and introduce a series of exclusive, founder-led journeys and experiences. These will be designed around the elements: from water-led experiences in Thailand, to grounded, sensory journeys in destinations such as Tuscany, each created to evoke a different emotional state and connection to place.
Website: www.travelnam.co.uk.
